TEAM REGISTRATION

Season

Season means the competitive season beginning August 1 of each year and ending July 31 of the following year.

Age Groups

Each team must enter the age group consistent with the highest age of any of its players based upon the August 1st thru July 31st age brackets for that season.

Fall 2014 – Spring 2015

U7

08/01/2007

to

07/31/2008

U8

08/01/2006

to

07/31/2007

U9

08/01/2005

to

07/31/2006

U10REC

08/01/2004

to

07/31/2005

U11REC

08/01/2003

to

07/31/2004

U12REC

08/01/2002

to

07/31/2003

Eligibility

All teams must be registered with JSS and have their JSS passes or US Club passes. Each team must have a minimum of one coach. All information must be current and valid. Teams may utilize JSS passes for U7-U9 teams and U10-U12 REC teams or US Club passes for all age groups. The passes must all be from the same Club. Teams must use either all JSS passes or all US Club passes - they may NOT mix them. This applies to all player and coaching passes.

Age Group

Competition

Required Pass -Entire Team*

Optional Pass – Entire Team*

U7, U8

League

JSS

US Club

U10REC, U11REC, U12REC

League

JSS

US Club

U9 or U8 team playing up

NY Cup

US Club

US Club

* Players and Coaches

Roster Size

There is no maximum roster size for JSS teams, yet teams are limited on the number of players dressed at each game to assure ample playing time for player development.

Eligibility

There is no maximum roster size for JSS teams, yet teams are limited on the number of players dressed at each game to assure ample playing time for player development.

Guest Players

Guest players, defined as players from an outside club, are NOT permitted in JSS league play.

PLAYER REGISTRATION

Eligibility

Eligibility is open to all youth irrespective of race, nationality, color or religious affiliation or non-affiliation. The league is limited to youth players. A youth player is any person other than a professional or amateur player.

Age Eligibility

Players must be registered with JSS or US Club. Players are bound to play on only one Club in the league. Players are permitted to play on any age-appropriate team, from within their own Club, as long as they are using the same pass as the team on which they are playing (JSS or US Club). Player must be a minimum of U6 (08/01/2008 to 07/31/2009) to play on a JSS U7 team.

Player Release/Transfer

Players may transfer from one JSS Club to another by completing the JSS Player Transfer Form, if utilizing JSS passes. If utilizing US Club passes, they must satisfy US Club’s transfer requirements. The player may continue to play on their existing club until a new JSS pass is issued to the new club.

COACH REGISTRATION

Eligibility

Eligibility to coach is open to all adults irrespective of race, nationality, color or religious affiliation or non-affiliation. Clubs are responsible for selecting coaches. The Clubs’ coaches must adhere to the rules, regulations and guidelines set forth by the league. The league is not responsible for the selection process or for providing coaches to the Clubs.

Minimum Age of a Coach

An individual must have attained the minimum age of 18 years old in order to coach up to U14 and 21 years old in order to coach up to U18, prior to being issued a JSS pass.

Coach Presence at Games

The Club must have a coach from within the same club, at all scheduled matches in which the team participates. The coach must be in possession of a valid coaching pass, from the same USSF entity as the team, either JSS or US Club. A coach with a valid JSS pass may not coach a US Club team and vice versa. A Coach must be present throughout the entire match or the match will be terminated and forfeited to the opponent, 1-0. A maximum of 3 coaches are permitted on the team sidelines per match.

Multiple Coaching Passes

Coaches may have a JSS (or US Club) pass for each Club in which they coach. Coaches may only coach for a team affiliated with the same Club and USSF entity, JSS or US Club, and the pass they use must be present at the scheduled match.

RULES OF PLAY

All JSS sanctioned competitions must be played in accordance with the most current FIFA laws of the Game and the modifications noted within these rules unless specifically accepted by authorization of the JSS Executive Board. It is the responsibility of all coaches and referees to be thoroughly familiar with and abide by the FIFA laws and these modifications.

Ball Size

U7, U8, U9, U10REC, U11REC and U12REC teams all utilize ball size #4. The home team will provide the game ball.

Duration of the Game

Age Group

Duration of the Game

U7, U8, U9, U10REC

2 – 25 minute halves

U11REC, U12REC

2 – 30 minute halves

Halftimes are 5 minutes for all age groups. There shall be no overtime periods in regular JSS League competition.

Game Format

Game format and maximum number of players dressed per game are listed.

Age Group

Format

# Players Dressed

U7, U8

6v6

12

U9, U10REC

8v8

16

U11REC

9v9

18

U12REC

11v11

18

PLAYERS EQUIPMENT

Uniforms

The visiting team’s Coach or team manager will verify the uniform colors with the home team Coach or team manager, prior to the game date. All field payers on a team shall wear similar colored jerseys, shorts and soccer socks. A legible non-duplicating number on the back of each jersey is required. Players and substitutes shall not change numbers or remove their jerseys prior to the completion of the game without specific permission of the referee.

The color of a team’s jerseys may be different from the color of the team’s shorts and or soccer socks. At each game, both teams shall be able to make a change of jersey color. If both teams are wearing similar colored jerseys, the home team shall be required to change. Goalkeepers shall change jerseys as the referee directs, regardless of the home/visitor status. All players shall have their jerseys tucked into their shorts.

Teams may elect to display sponsorship on their team jerseys, but may only due so upon approval by the league. Decision of the league is final, without any permissible appeal.

Shin Guards

Shin guards are required equipment for all players and are to be worn at all practices and matches. Shin guards are to be covered entirely by the players’ socks. Shin guards are to be made of suitable-material, rubber or plastic to provide a reasonable degree of protection.

Team Captain Identification

The captain(s) of a team shall wear an armband for identification purposes, which is to be displayed only on the arm.

Safe Equipment

In addition to the authority granted to the referee under FIFA Law V to determine the safety of a player’s equipment as defined in FIFA Law IV, the following shall not be permitted:

Hair control devices with any hard parts;

Earrings or any other jewelry, regardless of covering.

In addition to the authority granted to the referee under FIFA Law V, the following shall be permitted:

A soft splint or a soft cast, provided that the match referee has determined that it is not a danger to himself or another player;

A brace, joint or prosthetic device, provided that the match referee has determined that it is not a danger to himself or another player;

Sports Spectacles: Protective sports spectacles or plastic prescription frames sports spectacles with the lenses fully contained with the frame, and held on by an elastic strap are expressly permitted. Any eyewear containing glass, metal or any sharp edges are prohibited.

Headgear: Soft foam headgear for goalkeeper, Full 90 type headgear for player, provided that the referee has determined that it is not a danger to himself or another player

If the Referee finds that a player is wearing articles not permitted by the Laws or this Rule, the Referee shall order the player to remove them. If a player fails to carry out the Referee’s instruction, the player shall not take part in the match.

Severe Weather

In the event of severe weather conditions, players will be permitted to wear a sweat suit or similar trousers and stockings, or other type of clothing under their team uniform. Sweat pants must have no metallic buckle, snaps, buttons or other items that the referee considers dangerous to any player.

Goalkeeper

The Goalkeeper is permitted to wear a tracksuit or similar trousers and stockings or other type of clothing in all League sanctioned activities. The Goalkeeper is also permitted to wear a vinyl foam soft soccer helmet.

Coaching from the sidelines

Coaching from the sidelines is permitted, so long as one is giving direction to one’s own team on points of strategy, tactics and position provided that the following conditions are complied with:

No mechanical devices are used;

The tone of voice is informative and sportsmanlike;

No coach, substitute, or player is to be anywhere but within an area extending along his sideline, no more than 20 yards on either side of the mid-field line.

No Club official, Club member, team manager, player, or spectator may enter the field of play regardless of the circumstances, unless the Referee has given them permission. If this is disregarded, they shall become subject to disciplinary action by the Disciplinary Committee.

Accidents or Unusual Incidents

The team coach or manager must report any accident or unusual incident to the league.

Suspended Coach

Any Coach who has been placed on suspension is not permitted to participate in any manner whatsoever in the activities of the League during the suspension. The suspended person is not permitted to be present at the site of a match or areas immediately adjacent.

PENALTY: Disciplinary action by the Disciplinary Committee.

Suspended Player

A player who has been placed on suspension is not permitted to dress for any match during the time period of his/her suspension, nor be present at the site of a match or areas immediately adjacent (player may participate in team practices).

PENALTY: Disciplinary action by the Disciplinary Committee.

Field of Play

The field of play shall conform to FIFA Law I, except as listed.

Age Group

Approximate Field Size

Goal Size*

U7, U8

30 x 50/55

4 x 8 or 6 x 12

U9, U10REC, U11REC

40 x 60/70

7 x 21

U12REC

60 x 110

8 x 24

* Both Goals MUST be the same size; pop up goals may be used but must be secured to the ground

Number of Players

Two teams shall play a match with no more than the listed number of players on the field at one time, one of whom shall be the goalkeeper.

Age Group

Number of Players

U7, U8

6

U9, U10REC

8

U11REC

9

U12REC

11

Other FIFA Exceptions

Start of Play The start of play shall conform to FIFA Law VIII except that in the U7, U8, U9, U10REC and U11REC age divisions at the beginning of the game, after a goal has been scored, and after half time every player shall be in his own half of the field and every player of the team opposing that of the kicker shall remain not less than 8 yards from the ball until it is kicked-off.

Free Kicks Free kicks shall conform to FIFA Law XIII except that in the U7, U8, U9, U10REC and U11REC age divisions no player of the opposing side shall encroach into the penalty area, or within eight yards of the ball, as the case may be, before the free kick is taken.

Penalty KicksPenalty kicks shall conform to FIFA Law XIV except that in the U7, U8, U9, U10REC and U11REC age divisions all players with the exception of the player taking the kick and the opposing goalkeeper shall be within the field of play but outside the penalty-area. The U7, U8, U9, U10REC and U11REC age group shall take the penalty kick within the penalty area at a penalty mark made 10 yards from the midpoint between the goalposts and equidistant to them.

Corner Kicks Corner kicks shall conform to FIFA Law XVII except that in the U7, U8, U9, U10REC and U11REC age divisions players of the team opposing that of the player taking the corner kick shall not approach within 8 yards of the ball until it is in play.

3 Goal Differential Rule If a team goes ahead by three (3) goals, the team that is behind may put 1 additional player on the field until there is less than a 3-goal differential. If the team that is ahead goes up by more than 3 goals, no additional player may be put on the field.

Offside For U7 & U8 Only flagrant offside will be called when a player is in a blatantly offside position. U9 and older – FIFA Offside rule will apply.

Standings

WIN

3 points

TIE

1 point

LOSS

0 points

Standings Determined - Standings are kept for U9 and older age groups only and are determined by the following point system:

Play-off Games In the event of a tie for first place in the standings at the completion of the season’s regular game schedule, a play-off game will not be required in order to determine a champion in any age groups (Boys and Girls). The teams who are tied will both be “champions”.

Tie Games If a regularly scheduled game ends in a tie score at the end of regulation playing time, the game and score shall stand as official.

Team Withdraws from Competition: If a team withdraws from competition prior to having completed half of the original schedule of games, results of these games will be deleted from the records.

Team Withdraws from Competition After Half of the Original Schedule of Games: If a team withdraws from competition after half of the original schedule of games has been completed results of such games will be recorded as played and all remaining games as forfeits.

GAME REGULATIONS

Scheduling

Prior to the seasons’ start, Clubs are to do their best to accommodate the visiting team’s requests when scheduling their home team games. When there is a conflict between the home team and visiting team requests, the home team request will prevail.

Fields

Home Team Responsibility -The Home team is responsible for the condition of the playing area including the proper field markings, and proper equipment - Nets and corner flags are required. If the referee determines that the field is not playable due to improper conditions (unrelated to weather), then the home team will forfeit the match and be responsible to absorb the full cost of referee, assignor and field rental fees.

Neutral Playing Field - If a neutral playing field is used, the designated Home team must provide the field markings including placing the lines which represent the field of play, setting up the goal nets and corner flags. At the neutral site, the designated Home team is not responsible for the condition of the playing area. For failure to comply, the Home team will forfeit the match and be responsible to absorb the full cost of referee, assignor and field rental fees.

Confirmation of Time, Field, and Colors - The Visiting Team’s Coach or team manager shall confirm the game time, field location, and will verify uniform colors with the Home team’s Coach prior to the game date.

Position of the Team and Spectators at the Game Site - Spectators for each team will take a position on the opposite side of the field than the valid Coaches and rostered players. The Home Team shall have the choice of which side the spectator's will be positioned.

Minimum Number of Players - A minimum number of players shall be required for a scheduled match. Should a team not have at least the minimum number of players within 15 minutes after the scheduled match time, it shall forfeit the game 1-0, and be responsible for the entire referee and associated assignor fees. The minimum number of players per age group is listed.

Age Group

Minimum Number of Players

U7, U8

5

U9, U10REC

6

U11REC

6

U12REC

7

Start at the Scheduled Time At the scheduled time for the match, the minimum number of players will constitute a team and the match will start at the scheduled time. There is no permissible waiting period to wait for additional players to arrive at the game site.

Substitutions (Unlimited) Substitutions may be made, with the consent of the Referee at any stoppage in play.

Change With The Goalkeeper Any of the other players may change places with the goalkeeper provided that the Referee is informed before the change is made, and that the change is made during a stoppage in the game.

Substitution Procedure When a goalkeeper or any other player is to be replaced by a substitute, the following conditions shall be observed:

The Referee shall be informed of the proposed substitution before it is made.

The substitute shall not enter the field of play until the player he is replacing has left, and then only after having received a signal from the Referee.

Enter the field during a stoppage in the game, and at the halfway line.

Rosters and Passes Teams must present their laminated passes and roster to the referee prior to the start of the match. Each team’s player and coaching passes must ALL be issued from the same USSF entity (JSS or US Club).

Referee System All matches shall be officiated by at least a Grade 9 referee provided by JSS, with referee fees split equally by the two teams playing, regardless of which team is the home team, at the rate posted on the JSS website. Referee must be paid prior to the match

Delaying the Start of a Scheduled Match Any team delaying the start of a scheduled game more than fifteen (15) minutes without the sanction of the League shall forfeit the game 1-0. This condition is waived should the game be delayed by a preceding game. The fifteen (15) minute forfeit time will commence upon completion of the previous match on fields with multiple games.

If a Team Fails to Appear The team that does appear must complete the Game Roster Form, line up, and kick off. The Referee will then terminate the match and file a referee’s report. Team that fails to appear will be responsible for the entire referee and associated assignor fees.

If Both Teams Fail to Appear In the event both teams do not appear for a scheduled match, and the Referee rules the ground playable, both teams will be assessed a forfeit. Each team will be responsible for their share of the referee fees.

Option to Forfeit (Home or Visiting Team) Should the Home team or the Visiting team exercise the option to forfeit a scheduled match, the forfeiting team must inform the League. The League will notify the opposing team of the status of the match. In this situation, upon notification from the League the opposing team is not required to appear at the site of the match. No fee will be assessed if the forfeiting team informs the League with a minimum seven (7) days notice.

Forfeiture and Failure to Compete (Complete One’s Scheduled Games) If a team fails to complete its scheduled games, the matter will be reviewed by the Disciplinary Committee, which shall have the authority to take such actions against the team as it deems appropriate.

If the Referee Fails to Appear If a Referee should fail to appear for a scheduled match, the Coaches of the competing teams must agree upon a person to substitute for the Referee. If one of the AR’s assigned to the game is a grade 8, he/she will become the center referee with the other AR doing one sideline and a volunteer AR the other sideline. If the AR’s assigned are grade 9 they can only work the lines and both coaches must agree on a substitute volunteer referee. The substitute need not be a certified Referee. The substitute must officiate the complete match. The substitute Referee shall have those prerogatives granted to him/her by the ‘Laws of the Game’, as published by FIFA and amended by JSS. The home team must furnish to JSS, a report of the match and the ‘Game Roster Forms’ within forty-eight (48) hours of the completion of the match.

Bad Weather and/or Poor Field Conditions

Inspection of Playing Site It shall be the home team Coach or team manger with the Club’s designated governing authority’s responsibility to inspect the game field prior to the match. In the event of bad weather, the Home Team’s Club Official, after inspection of the field, must notify the League no later than 2 hours prior to the scheduled starting time of the match that field conditions may require postponement of the match. ONLY a Club Official can cancel a match, not the coach.

Both Teams Must Appear Should any part of the two (2) hour notification period lapse, regardless of weather and/or field conditions, Coaches and their teams must appear at the match site, ready to play at the scheduled time of the match, or forfeit the match. Once any part of the two (2) hour notification period has lapsed, the Referee is the only person authorized to cancel the match. In the event that weather and/or field conditions are questionable for playing the match and the Referee fails to appear, the decision to play or cancel is granted to the Home team.

Game Terminated by the Referee Should the match be terminated by the Referee prior to the time specified in the rules, for reasons of bad weather, poor field conditions, or darkness, the entire game must be replayed. (FIFA Law VII)

Game Terminated by the Referee for other Reasons Should the referee terminate the match for any other reason the Disciplinary Committee will decide whether the game should be replayed.

Availability of Home Field Should a Home team find itself without a match site due to circumstances beyond the control of the team and/or Club, the Home team’s Coach or team manger must notify the League no later than two (2) hours prior to the scheduled time of the match.

Rescheduled Match

The League must be informed so that Referee(s) can be assigned to the match. The responsibility for rescheduling rests with the Home team. Failure to comply will result in a forfeit. Should the Coach or team manager of the two (2) teams in question fail to agree on a rescheduling date within seven (7) days of the date of the canceled or postponed match, the League will establish a date.

Change A Scheduled Match Under no circumstances will a Coach, team manager or any other Club representative change a scheduled match or reschedule a match without permission from the League. Should this occur, both teams will forfeit the match and will be responsible for their share of the referee and associated assignor fees.

Change of Game Location Should there be a last minute change to a match site; the Home Team must provide a person at the original site to escort the Referee and the Visiting team to the new site.

Reporting the Score - Home Team Responsibility It is the responsibility of the Home team to notify the League’s designated authority on the day and hours specified by the League, in order to notify him/her of the score. Published scores are capped at a maximum 5-goal differential

Ejection from a Match In instances where the designated Coach has been ejected from a game, or has failed to control the activities at the match site to the detriment of the match, the Referee will not hold the Coach’s card, but will provide a supplementary report to the League. The League’s Disciplinary Committee, at its discretion, will implement disciplinary action.

Referees

a) Player Verification

Game Roster Form The Referee shall require that both teams enter all the appropriate information on the League’s Game Roster Form prior to the start of the match.

Collect Player Passes The Referee shall collect the player’s laminated passes prior to starting the match and retain them until the conclusion of the match. The Player’s Pass is the sole property of the League.

Verify the Player’s Identity The Referee shall verify the identity of the players represented on the player’s pass by inspecting the Player’s photograph, which is on the pass.

Player Not Permitted to Participate The Referee will not permit a Player to participate unless a valid player pass has been furnished.

Verify Written Data The Referee shall verify that the Player’s pass indicates the correct Club name and age group.

Discrepancy in the Data Should there be a discrepancy in the Age Group, and/or Club name, the player shall be permitted to participate in the match. The Referee shall retain the pass and shall forward the Player’s pass in question, with his/her report, to the League, which will administer disciplinary action for any or all infringements and violations regarding Player eligibility.

b) Referee Reports

Submit Referee Reports The Referee shall submit (mail or email) a Referee Report for each match officiated, within forty-eight (48) hours (Holidays excluded) after the completion of the match. The Referee shall attach to the Referee Report, a copy of the league’s Game Roster Form.

Supplementary Referee Report The Referee shall submit (mail or email) a Supplementary Referee Report for each player and/or Coach ejected from the match, to the League within forty-eight (48) hours (Holidays excluded) after the completion of the match. The Referee will not retain the pass of the ejected player or Coach.

Violation Will Be Held In Abeyance In the event that the Supplementary Referee Report is not received by the League within forty-eight (48) hours (Holidays excluded) after the completion of the match, the violation will be held in abeyance until the report is received.

c) Caution

Yellow Card - Cautioned A Yellow Card is displayed by the Referee to indicate that a Player or Coach is being cautioned for violating FIFA, Laws of the Game.

Two (2) Cautions If a Player or Coach receives two (2) cautions during one match, the Player or Coach will be ejected from the match, and a suspension is in effect.

Five (5) Cautions If a Coach receives five (5) cautions during a season, a suspension is in effect.

Disciplinary Committee The Disciplinary Committee, at its discretion, will determine the length of the suspension and any other punishments, fines, and/or assessments.

d) Ejection

Red Card - Ejection A Red Card is displayed by the Referee to indicate that a Player or Coach is ejected from the match, and a suspension is in effect.

Disciplinary Committee The Disciplinary Committee, at its discretion, will determine the length of the suspension and any other punishments, fines and/or assessments.

Appear Before Disciplinary Committee A player or Coach who receives a red card or the equivalent, will, at the discretion of the Disciplinary Committee, be summoned to appear at a hearing. Should the player or Coach fail to appear, he/she will be suspended until such appearance is made. The Disciplinary Committee, at its discretion, will determine the length of suspension and/or any other punishments, fines, or assessments. The club will be assessed a minimum of $50.00 each time a coach (Coach) is issued a red card, unless waived by the Disciplinary Committee. Should a player be summoned to appear, the Coach or Club representative from his/her designated team must accompany him/her.

Suspended from Consecutive Competition A player or Coach shall be suspended from consecutive competition in the league.

Team Refuses to Continue If a team refuses to continue to play after being so instructed by the Referee, the team will forfeit the game, 1-0.

Reports Will Be Reviewed By The Disciplinary Committee The Referee Report and the Supplementary Referee Report shall be reviewed by the League’s Disciplinary Committee, who shall determine the punishment, fine, and/or assessment. The Disciplinary Committee shall notify the parties involved, in writing, of the decision.

Eligibility Protest Protests on questions of eligibility must be filed in writing, with substantiating facts to the Disciplinary Committee, anytime within the current season.

PROTESTS and APPEALS

Disciplinary Committee It shall manage all matters requiring arbitration that pertain to League sponsored competition(s). The Disciplinary Committee will administer Game Protests and Behavioral Incidents. The Disciplinary Committee has the authority to suspend or fine any Player, Coach, Team, Team Official, Club Official, Team and/or Club Supporter. The Disciplinary Committee has the authority to fine any Member Club.

Composition There will be no less than three (3) and no more than five (5) members, plus a Committee Chairman on the JSS Disciplinary Committee. Disciplinary Committee members and selection of its Chairman shall be selected by the League’s President.

Voting of this Committee shall be one (1) vote for each member of the Committee including the Chairman. The Chairman may cast a vote only in case of a tie. A minimum of three (3) voting members, which includes the Chairman, will be required to hear a case and render a decision. No member of the JSS Disciplinary Committee shall participate at any other level of appeal or discipline.

Participants at a Disciplinary Committee Meeting The Disciplinary Committee reserves the right to determine the participants and number of participants that may attend an Disciplinary Committee meeting.

Convene Disciplinary Committee The Disciplinary Committee will convene at the discretion of the Chairman.

Club Notification Each Time An Coach is Issued a Red Card In the event that a coach (Coach) or player is issued a red card, the Disciplinary Committee will notify the Club President in writing of the offense.

Coach to Appear at the Disciplinary Committee Hearing In the event that an Coach is awarded a Red Card, at the discretion of the Disciplinary Committee, said Coach will be notified by the Disciplinary Committee to appear in person, at the Disciplinary Committee hearing of the case.

a) The Disciplinary Committee will notify the Coach of the date, time and location of the hearing.

Player to Appear at the Disciplinary Committee Hearing In the event that a Player is awarded a Red Card, at the discretion of the Disciplinary Committee, said Player and the Coach of the said Player’s team may be notified by the Disciplinary Committee to appear in person, at the Disciplinary Committee hearing of the case. The Coach must accompany the player to such a hearing.

a) The Disciplinary Committee will notify the Coach of the date, time and location of the hearing.

Protests and Disputes All questions relating to the qualifications of competitors or interpretation of the rules or any dispute or protest whatever, shall be referred to the Disciplinary Committee of the JSS. Protests and disputes are filed by the Member Clubs who will bear responsibility for adherence to the rules regarding disputes and protests and guarantee all fees and fines. Decisions of the Disciplinary Committee shall be final and binding unless and until overturned under appeal as provided for in Rule 6, Part 4.

1. Valid and Eligible for Consideration To be valid and eligible for consideration, each protest or dispute must:

Be submitted on the League’s Game Protest Form. The form must describe in full detail the grounds for the protest or dispute and bear the signature of the Club’s President and/or Registrar, as well as the signature of the coach of the team initiating the protest or dispute.

Be accompanied by any information to be presented by witnesses and/or supporting documents.

Be provided by certified or registered mail (along with all supporting information and documents) to the opposing team and/or Club.

Pertain to a League sponsored competition.

Be initiated by a party directly involved in the incident under protest or dispute. An involved party, as used throughout this Part, is defined as a team coach, a club President and/or a club Registrar.

Include all information necessary to allow a fair and just decision.

Be mailed to the League’s office, addressed to the Chairman of the Appeals Committee, by certified or registered mail, and postmarked no later than midnight of the third business day following the incident giving rise to the protest or dispute. A business day, as used throughout this Part, is defined as any weekday excluding legal holidays. A business day shall not include Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays.

Lawyer Shall Not Represent An Disciplinary Committee hearing is not a legal proceeding, thus, legal counsel may not represent involved parties. Attorneys may appear before the Board only as involved parties in an individual capacity and not as legal counsel.

2. Ignorance of the Rules A plea of ignorance of the rules and regulations of the League is not sufficient grounds for the filing of a protest or dispute.

3. Conflicts of Interest The members of the Disciplinary Committee shall avoid both apparent and actual conflicts of interest. In the event that a member of the Board may be considered on any basis by a reasonable individual to have a bias for or against any interested party in a protest or dispute, that member shall excuse himself/herself from the deliberations concerning that protest or dispute.

4. Convening the Board and Notifying Involved Parties The Disciplinary Committee shall be convened by the Chairman at his/her discretion. Notice shall be given to involved parties and those others invited to aid in the Board’s deliberations and/or to present relevant information, no later than five business days prior to the scheduled meeting.

5. Forfeiture of Appeal Rights An involved party failing to appear before the Disciplinary Committee after having received notice as required in the section headed Convening the Board and Notifying Involved Parties shall forfeit all rights to appeal.

6. Basis of Decision The Disciplinary Committee shall render a decision on any protest or dispute on the basis of any information, from any source, that it deems appropriate under the circumstances.

7. Timeliness of Decision The Disciplinary Committee shall render a decision within fifteen (15) days of receipt by the Board of a protest or dispute. Failure to render a decision within this period shall entitle the party filing the protest or dispute to submit the protest or dispute to the Appeals Committee without determination and the protest fee submitted shall be applied to the appeal fee.

8. Notification of Decision All parties to a protest or dispute shall be notified in writing within (10) days of a hearing of the decision rendered by the Disciplinary Committee.

9. Rejection of Protests or Disputes Any protest or dispute not submitted to the Disciplinary Committee in full compliance with Rule 6, Part 2, Section 1 shall be returned, along with all submitted documents and fees, without consideration.

10. Appeal of an Disciplinary Committee Decision A Club may appeal a decision of the Disciplinary Committee only to the Appeals Committee of the League in accordance with Rules contained within this Protests and Appeals sections.

Part 3. Appeals Committee

The JSS Appeals Committee shall be responsible for hearing appeals pertaining to a decision rendered by the League’s Disciplinary Committee, Standing or Ad Hoc Committees. All avenues of appeal must be exhausted at all levels below this body before the Appeals Committee will consider hearing an appeal.

a) Composition of the Appeals Committee There shall be no less than three (3) and no more than five (5) members plus a committee chairman. Committee members shall be selected by the League’s President. No more than one member from the League’s Executive Board shall be a member of the Appeals Committee. The League’s President shall appoint the Chairman of the Appeals Committee.

b) Authority of the Appeals Committee The Appeals Committee has the authority to suspend or fine any Player, Coach, Team, Team Official, Club Official, Team and/or Club Supporter. The Appeals Committee has the authority to fine any Member Club.

c) Minimum Number of Voting Members Voting of this Committee shall be that one (1) vote for each member of the Committee including the Chairman. The Chairman may cast a vote only in case of a tie. A minimum of three (3) voting members, which includes the Chairman, will be required to hear a case and render a decision. No member of the JSS Appeals Committee shall participate at any other level of appeal or discipline.

d) Participants at an Appeals Committee Meeting The Appeals Committee reserves the right to determine the participants and number of participants that may attend an Appeals Committee meeting.

e) Convene Appeals Committee The Appeals Committee will convene at the discretion of the Chairman.

f) Records of the Appeals Committee The records of the Appeals Committee will be maintained for a three (3) year period.

Part 4. Appeals

All appeals of a decision rendered by the Disciplinary Committee, a League Standing Committee, or a Special (Ad Hoc) Committee shall be referred to the Appeals Committee of the JSS. Appeals are filed by the member Clubs who will bear responsibility for adherence to the rules regarding appeals and guarantee all fees and fines. Decisions of the Appeals Committee shall be final and binding unless and until overturned under appeal as provided within this document.

1. Valid and Eligible for Consideration To be valid and eligible for consideration, each appeal must:

a) Be accompanied by an appeal fee in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00), in the form of a check or money order made payable to the JSS.

b) Be submitted in triplicate on member Club stationery. The submittal must describe in full detail the grounds for the appeal and bear the signature of the member Club’s President and/or Registrar.

c) Be accompanied by three (3) copies of any information to be presented by witnesses and/or supporting documents.

d) Be provided by certified or registered mail (along with all supporting information and documents) to all affected parties.

e) Pertain to a decision rendered by the Disciplinary Committee, JSS Standing Committee or Special (Ad Hoc) Committee, or result from the lack of a timely decision by the Disciplinary Committee.

f) Be initiated by a party directly affected by the decision under appeal. An affected party, as used throughout this Part, is defined as a team coach, a club President and/or a club Registrar who was party to the decision under appeal.

g) Include all information necessary to allow a fair and just decision.

h) Be mailed to the League’s office, addressed to the Chairman of the Appeals Committee, by certified or registered mail, and postmarked no later than midnight of the fifth business day following the date of notice of the decision giving rise to the appeal. A business day, as used throughout this Part, is defined as any weekday that the offices of the League are normally open for business. A business day shall not include Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays observed by the League office.

2. Appeals Fee ForfeitedThe appeals fee shall be forfeited to the League if the appeal is not upheld by the Appeals Committee.

3. Lawyer Representation An attorney or other advisor may attend the Appeals Committee hearing. During the course of the hearing, the party may confer briefly or request a recess in order to confer with the attorney or other advisor. The attorney or advisor may not present the party’s oral argument, question any witness or directly address the hearing panel.

4. Ignorance of the Rules A plea of ignorance of the rules and regulations of the League is not sufficient grounds for the filing of an appeal.

5. Conflicts of Interest The members of the Appeals Committee shall avoid both apparent and actual conflicts of interest. In the event that a member of the Committee may be considered on any basis by a reasonable individual to have a bias for or against any affected party in an appeal, that member shall excuse himself/herself from the deliberations concerning that appeal.

6. Convening the Committee and Notifying Affected Parties The Appeals Committee shall be convened by the Chairman at his/her discretion. Notice shall be given to affected parties and those others invited to aid in the Committee’s deliberations and/or to present relevant information, no later than five business days prior to the scheduled meeting.

7. Forfeiture of Appeal Rights An affected party failing to appear before the Appeals Committee after having received notice as required ,shall forfeit all rights to appeal.

8. Burden of Proof The appellant shall bear the burden of showing that the decision being appealed is clearly erroneous.

9. Basis of Decision The Appeals Committee shall render a decision on any appeal on the basis of any information, from any source that it deems appropriate under the circumstances.

10. Timeliness of Decision The Appeals Committee shall render a decision within fifteen (15) business days of the hearing of an appeal. Failure to render a decision within this period shall entitle the party filing the appeal to submit the appeal tothe next level of authority without determination and the appeal fee submitted shall be refunded.

11. Notification of Decision All parties to an appeal shall be notified in writing within twenty (20) business days of a hearing of the decision rendered by the Appeals Committee.

12. Rejection of Appeals Any protest or dispute not submitted to the Appeals Committee in full compliance shall be returned, along with all submitted documents and fees, without consideration.

13. Appeal of an Appeals Committee Decision A Club may appeal a decision of the Appeals Committee only to the State Youth Association.

Part 5

Matters Not Provided Any matters not provided for in these rules shall be determined by the Executive Board of JSS and decisions so made shall be final and binding.

Part 6

Penalties No JSS official, club, league, team, coach, referee, player, or other representative may invoke the aid of the Courts of any State or of the United States without first exhausting all available remedies within the appropriate soccer organizations.

For violation of this rule the offending party shall be subject to the sanctions of suspension and fines and shall be liable to the JSS for all expenses incurred by the JSS and its officers in defending any court action, including but not limited to the following:

Court costs

Attorneys fees

Reasonable compensation for time spent by JSS officers and/or employees in responding to and defending against allegations in the action, including responses to discovery and court appearance.

Travel expenses

Expenses for holding special JSS meetings necessitated by court action.

Part 7

Line of Authority for an Appeal The line of authority for an appeal of a decision rendered by the League’s Executive Board or Appeals Committee shall be:

SAY National

USSF National Appeals Committee

Appeals following the line of authority listed above are made directly to each level. The fee for an appeal is prescribed by each level of appeal and are made payable to each level.